Swan River drownings: Father calls for compassion, says police are not to blame

Rourke WalshThe West Australian

Wednesday, 12 September 2018 6:14PM

Father says son made fatal decision in river tragedy

The West Australian

VideoThe father of one of the boys who sadly drowned in the Swan River, has asked people to not be judgmental on the events leading up to his son's death.

THE devastated father of a teenage boy who drowned in the Swan River trying to flee from police says the officers who were chasing him are not to blame for the tragedy.

Speaking after visiting the scene of his son Chris Drage’s death at Maylands, Christopher Drage said he felt “numb” over what had happened but did not believe police were responsible.

“He was a good boy who made a fatal decision to jump in the river to get away from the police,” Mr Drage said.

Camera IconChris Drage.Picture: Facebook

“Obviously they were scared and they were only young boys so I ask people not to be judgemental.

“The boys chose to do what they have done and I suppose they didn’t realise the extent that it was going to cost them.

“I think we all make silly mistakes as kids and it is just tragic that they lost their lives and I would like people to respect that and not concentrate on the negative things that have happened.”

The bodies of Chris Drage, 17, and Trisjack Simpson, 17, were found in the river by police divers after four boys jumped into the water on Monday afternoon in a desperate bid to get away from officers.

The teenagers were being chased after they were allegedly seen jumping fences near a burgled house.

Camera IconChristopher Drage, father of teenager Chis Drage, and his partner Lara McMahon by the Swan River where Chris drowned.Picture: Danella Bevis / The West Australian

Police say one boy was stopped not far from shore but that two others got into trouble about halfway through the 120m crossing and disappeared.

A fourth teen was helped to shore on the Rivervale side of the river by an officer who swam to his rescue. A fifth boy was seen running along the riverbank and was missing overnight Monday before being found safe with relatives the next day.

Mr Drage said his son was a promising young footballer who enjoyed riding motorbikes and was loved by his family.

“He was a pretty quiet boy who stuck to himself but when he was with his mates he was happy,” he said.

“He was very respectful to his elders. He went to Clontarf and he got fast-tracked in school because he was a good footy player in the academy.”

Mr Drage said he had a simple message in response to his son’s death: “Value life and realise that you could be here one minute and gone the next.”

Camera IconA makeshift memorial for two teenage boys - Chris Drage and Trisjack Simpson - who drowned in the Swan River at Maylands after a police chase.Picture: Danella Bevis / The West Australian

Family and friends of the teenagers continued to pay their respects at the scene yesterday, leaving flowers around the base of a tree near the river’s edge.

Among them was a relative of Trisjack Simpson, Rachel Humphries, who lives nearby in Maylands and said she heard the sirens on Monday as police chased the boys.

“It is sad to know this has happened,” she said.

“I have come down to look because I just wanted to know where it happened. They were so young and it is a tragedy.”